Fiji is aiming to enhance the Pacific region’s ability to protect the environment, according to Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica. This initiative is part of ongoing discussions at the Oceania Regional Conservation Forum taking place at the Pacific Island Forum headquarters in Suva.
Kamikamica emphasized that the forum is not merely a reflective gathering but a crucial step towards the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and World Conservation Congress to be held in the United Arab Emirates next year. He stated, “The decisions we make over the next four days and the partnerships we develop will lay the groundwork for a unified voice from Oceania on the global stage.”
He highlighted that Fiji is making progress in promoting environmentally sustainable development, with numerous innovative solutions documented. However, he acknowledged the persistent challenges in securing consistent, sufficient, and timely funding to implement solutions at scale. This difficulty is common among Pacific Island countries due to their small administrative structures and the complexities of financial systems.
Kamikamica pointed out that climate change poses the greatest threat to these nations, urging better preparedness as livelihoods, economies, and environments are at stake. “Climate change is clearly a national and regional security issue,” he asserted, noting that the safety and security of a nation are of utmost importance to any government, particularly in terms of human security.
He concluded by indicating that while climate change is a destabilizing force that calls for exceptional leadership and foresight, it also presents opportunities for collaboration and proactive measures.